The PNP, to its credit, has travelled far down the road of addressing this problem by establishing an Integrity Commission, which is charged with the responsibility of vetting all its candidates.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller Jamaica
That commission, we have been informed, has been very effective, as it has prevented the party from nominating candidates of questionable character, especially for the 2011 general elections.
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has also informed us that, for some years now, its Selection Committee has been carrying out a similar task to that of the PNP's Integrity Commission.
Both parties, and indeed Jamaica, would benefit from greater public education about their efforts in this regard, as that, we believe, would assist in shaping perceptions of politics.
The PNP and the JLP, though, should not relent in their drive to get Jamaicans involved in the political process. For, as Mr Patterson said, involvement is broader than at the representational level.
We are, after all, responsible for governing our own affairs. We should not abdicate that responsibility.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller Jamaica
That commission, we have been informed, has been very effective, as it has prevented the party from nominating candidates of questionable character, especially for the 2011 general elections.
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has also informed us that, for some years now, its Selection Committee has been carrying out a similar task to that of the PNP's Integrity Commission.
Both parties, and indeed Jamaica, would benefit from greater public education about their efforts in this regard, as that, we believe, would assist in shaping perceptions of politics.
The PNP and the JLP, though, should not relent in their drive to get Jamaicans involved in the political process. For, as Mr Patterson said, involvement is broader than at the representational level.
We are, after all, responsible for governing our own affairs. We should not abdicate that responsibility.